Asom government re-directs Army not to commit excesses

Guwahati, May 13 (UNI) Asom Government today sent a fresh directive to the Army not to commit excesses after the Doomdoma episode which is the last one of the series of ''mistaken civilian killings''.

The last one near Doomdoma saw National Highway blockade followed by a curfew imposed since this evening after three people were allegedly killed in the incident, even as the Army apologised for their previous mistakes.

''A fresh set of guidelines were being issued to the security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations to ensure that human rights of civilians are protected,'' government spokesman and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told newspersons here.

''The government of Asom is committed in protecting the rights of the people and would under no circumstance allow any kind of excesses,'' the minister said.

Across Upper Asom, hundreds of people blocked highways and shouted anti-army slogans over the killing of Buddheswar Moran, who was accidentaly killed by the Army.

But it took a different turn when the agitated tea garden labourers, who were not able to receive food supplies due to the seven-day road blockade, attacked the protestors and authorities had to impose curfew in the area.

Earlier this week, the Army tendered an apology to the Arunachal Pradesh government after the state's legislators alleged atrocities on locals by soldiers while conducting raids on ULFA bases.

In July last year, the Army punished Major Nishant Sharma and Rifleman Sudip Gurung after the court found the duo guilty of killing a villager in custody. The court announced its decision after widespread public protests in eastern Asom.

In December, the army was mired in yet another row over torture in custody of a separatist suspect.

Army authorities were later forced to apologise and order a court of inquiry after Nipul Saikia, a farmer, was picked up by soldiers and seriously injured while in custody.

UNI